By Alex Akinrogbe
President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the people of the Niger Delta to be patient on the infrastructural development of the region.
He stated on Tuesday in Asaba at the 6th Meeting of the National Council of Niger Delta (NCND) with Theme: “Stimulating Strategies For Economic Growth and Development in the Niger Delta Region”, saying his administration had developed a holistic plan for the overall development of the region.
Represented by the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, Tinubu said the focus of the council was in tandem with his administration’s objectives in the renewed hope agenda.
According to him, the theme is appropriate to stimulate proper coordination of developmental programmes and projects in the region.
“It is also about creating jobs, improving education, healthcare and reducing poverty and building a more just and equitable society for all Nigerians.
“It is expected to bring succor to all citizens of Nigeria in these difficult times. Government has developed a holistic plan for the development of the Niger Delta Region and, indeed, all parts of Nigeria in terms of infrastructure, education and harnessing the bountiful resources of all parts of our great country
“This is evident in the Ministerial Performance Bond for Presidential Priorities and Deliverables for 2023 – 2027 which was signed between the Minister of Niger Delta Development and myself, as well as with all members of the Federal Executive Council.
“To achieve these development initiatives, my administration deemed it fit to widen the scope of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, that is saddled with the responsibility of formulating and executing plans, programmes and other initiatives for the development of the Niger Delta region.
“To this effect, the name of the ministry was changed from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Ministry of Niger Delta Development. The expected effect of this is that the Ministry will now be responsible for all policies, projects and programmes that are targeted at bringing to fruition the long-envisaged development of the Niger Delta region.
“I am pleased to note that the new leadership in the Ministry has prioritized the process of Harmonizing all Developmental Plans of Agencies and Development Partners operating in the Niger Delta Region into a Single Integrated Regional Development Plan as a roadmap to accelerated development of the Region.
“It will gladden you to note that my administration has demonstrated interest in repositioning the NDDC to ensure it delivers optimally on its objectives and mandate; and to make its achievements manifest in different sectors of life across the Niger Delta region. This is evidenced in the recent inauguration of the new board of the commission.
Chairman of the Progressives Governor’s Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, called for an ideological-based conversation on the overall development of the region and urged the NDDC to call a meeting of the governors of the nine states of the Niger Delta to discuss the way forward on Niger Delta Development.
Earlier, Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, thanked Governor Oborevwori for hosting the National Council meeting, adding that the council was working assiduously with other stakeholders to improve on infrastructural development and human capital development in the region in line with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
While heeding to Gov. Oborevwori’s advice, the minister assured that the ministry would work with the NDDC to complete all ongoing and abandoned projects across the region.
Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, charged the NDDC, to complete all ongoing and abandoned projects in the region for the benefit of the people.
He said that the intervention of the agency was crucial in facilitating urban-rural integration, creating employment opportunities for the people and enabling regional economic growth.
He further remarked that the “forum is a strategic platform for states in the Niger Delta region to focus on issues and challenges of common interest, create a more dynamic and equitable arrangement for regional prosperity, and deepen our collaboration for using the region’s natural resources for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
“Let me appeal to the NDDC to take steps to urgently complete all ongoing and abandoned projects in the region,” the governor said.
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